Galleries

May 14, 2026 – July 22, 2026

Valencia Public Library, 23743 Valencia Blvd, Valencia, CA 91355

The City of Santa Clarita is pleased to present “Rooted in Wonder,” a solo exhibition by Tesha Smith on view at the Valencia Library (23743 Valencia Boulevard) now through July 22, 2026. This invites viewers into a vibrant world of flowers, foliage and fauna, celebrating the beauty, emotion and quiet wonder found within the natural world.

“Rooted in Wonder” features a collection of mixed-media works that explore nature as both sanctuary and storyteller. Through layered expressive color and organic forms, Tesha transforms petals, leaves and creatures into symbolic reflections of memory, resilience and personal connection. Inspired by childhood curiosity, time spent outdoors and observations gathered through travel, her work balances realism with imagination, creating scenes that feel both familiar and dreamlike. Each piece encourages viewers to slow down, notice small details and reconnect with a sense of awe and reflection often overlooked in everyday life.

Tesha Smith is a mixed-media artist whose creative practice has been shaped by her travels and studies across different countries. Working primarily in acrylic, watercolor, and charcoal, she often combines mediums to capture movement and atmosphere. Influenced by botanical gardens, sacred architecture, public murals and the beauty of ordinary moments, Tesha’s work explores themes of connection between people, cultures and the natural world. Through both large-scale murals and intimate works on paper, her art creates spaces for joy and transformation.

The artwork attached to this press release is titled “Peonies” by Tesha Smith.

Social Media: @artbytsmith

May 6, 2026 – June 3, 2026

The MAIN, 24266 Main St, Santa Clarita, CA 91321

The City of Santa Clarita is proud to announce its latest art exhibition, “Circle of Life: Sea to Land” by Jayme Sun Thomas on display at The MAIN (24266 Main Street) now through June 3, 2026. This exhibition features a collection of wildlife photographs captured between 2022 and 2026, highlighting amphibians, mammals and birds in their natural environments.

As a professional wildlife photographer, Thomas focuses on capturing the beauty, innocence and behavior of animals as they interact with their surroundings. Many of the works in this exhibition were photographed at the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve  and Placerita Canyon, where she has served as a Docent Naturalist since 2023. Her images reveal intimate moments within the food chain, offering insight into the balance and complexity of nature.

​ Thomas shares a deep commitment to wildlife conservation, drawing attention to the challenges animals face globally, including habitat loss, climate change and human impact. Her background in biochemistry and fine arts photography, combined with years of field observation, allows her to document wildlife with both scientific awareness and artistic sensitivity. Through her work, she strives to capture the “Circle of Life” and inspire a greater respect and understanding of the natural world. Thomas encourages viewers to connect with the subjects of her work and recognize the importance of safeguarding these species for future generations.

Website: sunpuperwolfwildlife.com

Social Media: @sunpuperwolf.photography

May 5, 2026 – July 29, 2026

Canyon Country Community Center, 18410 Sierra Hwy, Santa Clarita, CA 91351

The City of Santa Clarita is pleased to present “Flowing into Familiar” by Olga Shiller, on view now through July 29, 2026 at the Canyon Country Community Center (18410 Sierra Hwy). This exhibition features richly textured acrylic and oil works that balance expressive movement with recognizable subjects, inviting viewers into a visual experience where abstraction and representation meet.

Through thick, layered surfaces and dynamic brushwork, Shiller creates compositions that feel both energetic and grounded. Rough, high-contrast textures create stimulation and visual rhythm, while smoother passages offer focus and breath. Blurred horizons and partially rendered figures drift in and out of focus, suggesting landscapes and portraits that are at once external observations and internal weather. The work asks how memory thickens, how nostalgia takes on texture and how the act of looking is never separate from the act of feeling.

Born in Siberia, Olga Shiller is a multidisciplinary artist whose work draws from global influences and personal experience. Her practice blends techniques of the old masters with contemporary approaches, using oil and acrylic painting as well as photography to explore themes of nature, memory and the human condition. Through her work, Shiller creates a dialogue between tradition and expression, inviting viewers to engage with both the physical and emotional layers of each piece.

Website: www.olgashiller.com

Social Media: @olga.schiller

March 30, 2026 – May 27, 2026

Old Town Newhall Library, 24500 Main St. Santa Clarita, CA 91321

The City of Santa Clarita is pleased to present the Youth Art Exhibit, now on view at the Old Town Newhall Library Branch (24500 Main Street) through May 27, 2026. This exhibition features original artwork submitted to the Youth Art Contest, showcasing the creativity, passion and hard work of local students in grades TK–12. Inspired by this year’s theme, “The World Needs Art,” each piece reflects the unique perspectives of public, private and homeschooled students from across the community in celebration of Youth Art Month. Originally displayed at Art Hop, this collection now continues at the library, offering the community an extended opportunity to experience and celebrate the incredible talent of these young artists.

April 1 – May 6, 2026

The MAIN, 24266 Main St, Santa Clarita, CA 91321

The City of Santa Clarita is proud to announce its latest art exhibition, “The Art of the Cut” by James McGuire on view at The MAIN (24266 Main Street) now through May 6, 2026. This exhibition features intricate; hand crafted scroll saw works that highlight the natural beauty and character of wood through detailed patterns and precise craftsmanship.

For James McGuire, woodworking is both a craft and a conversation with the material itself. Each piece begins as a simple board and is transformed through careful cutting and thoughtful design into complex forms. His process requires patience, focus and meticulous attention to detail, resulting in works that invite viewers to slow down and appreciate the artistry found in small, deliberate moments.

​ McGuire shares, “I enjoy scroll sawing because it requires patience and focus. Each piece comes together one cut at a time, and concentrating on the pattern allows me to slow down and block out everything else.” His work reflects this meditative approach, where craftsmanship and creativity come together to reveal the hidden potential within each piece of wood.

James McGuire has practiced the art of fretwork for nearly 50 years, developing a style defined by precision and dedication. His work has evolved from simple designs to highly intricate compositions featuring hundreds of individual cuts, often taking weeks to complete. Today, he shares his work at craft fairs throughout the region and continues to explore the expressive possibilities of wood through his detailed creations.

The featured artwork attached to this release is entitled “Two Wolves” by James McGuire.

March 4 – May 20, 2026

The MAIN, 24266 Main St, Santa Clarita, CA 91321

The City of Santa Clarita is pleased to present its latest art exhibition, “Spirit of the West,”on view in the First Floor Gallery at City Hall (23920 Valencia Boulevard) now through May 20, 2026. This juried showcase celebrates the legacy, landscapes and cultural imagery of the American West, inviting viewers to reflect on its history, traditions and evolving identity. From desert vistas and rugged terrain to horses and frontier life, “Spirit of the West” explores the stories and symbolism that continue to shape Western identity while highlighting its influence on contemporary artistic expression.

Among the featured artists is Xu Joseph Zhou, whose work reflects a deep connection to the landscapes of the American West. “From open deserts to coastal horizons and mountain ranges, I am continually moved by the scale, light and quiet strength of these environments,” Zhou shares, describing them as symbols of “freedom, resilience and possibility.” Interpreting Western scenery through the lens of Eastern painting philosophy, he seeks to convey Qi, “the vital energy that animates nature and all living things.” By combining mineral pigments and acrylic with layered textures and fluid brushwork, Zhou creates a dialogue between cultures while reflecting his personal journey of belonging within the land he paints.

The exhibiting artists include: Faye Abharian, Rosalie Kessing Annison, Jed R Baguio, Lisa Barr, Claudia Buchinsky, Craig Cartwright, Elizabeth Chislett, Tina Chong, Alex Marie Coons, Susan Contrerad, Helaine Cummins, Ginger DeValue, Joe Doherty, Zachary Dominguez, Meghann Flaherty, Rich Gallego, Meryl Goudey, Keiji Ichikawa, Tim Song Jones, Allison Lauricella, Jennifer Tang Limon, Mary Main, Mark Micchio, Weston Middleton, John Moffitt, Laurie Morgan, Nancy Perkins, Sally Raskoff, Lisa Schindewolf, Maria A Schneider, Carolyn Sell, Rose Smither, Jayme Sun Thomas, Nicki Voss, Therese Verner, Xu Joseph Zhou.

The featured photo is “A Thousand Miles from Home” by Xu Joseph Zhou.

 February 4, 2026 – March 3, 2026

Canyon Country Community Center, 18410 Sierra Hwy, Santa Clarita, CA 91351

The City of Santa Clarita is pleased to present its latest art exhibition, “7^th Circuit,” by Yuliia Savenko on view now through March 3, 2026 at the Canyon Country Community Center (18410 Sierra Hwy). This photography exhibition invites viewers into a meditative visual space where familiar perceptions dissolve and meaning emerges through contemplation rather than certainty.

In “7th Circuit,” Savenko presents fog-shrouded urban landscapes that blur the boundary between reality and abstraction. Familiar city forms dissolve into mist, disrupting habitual ways of seeing and encouraging viewers to actively engage in the act of perception. As details fade, the mind fills in what is missing—transforming observation into a creative, introspective experience. The resulting images offer a meditative pause, where ambiguity replaces clarity and meaning emerges through personal reflection.

Yuliia Savenko, born in Ukraine, is a multidisciplinary artist working across photography, painting, video, and installation. Her practice explores vulnerability, presence and the space between inner experience and external reality. She holds a BFA in Photo-Video Art and Graphic Design from the Kyiv National University of Technology and Design and has exhibited extensively at major cultural institutions throughout Ukraine and Europe.

The image attached to this press release is titled “Urban Relic” by Yuliia Savenko.

June 24, 2026 – August 26, 2026

22421 Market St, Newhall, CA 91321

The City of Santa Clarita is pleased to present its latest art exhibition, “Animal Kingdom,” on display at the Newhall Community Center (22421 Market Street) now through August 26, 2026. This juried exhibition celebrates the diversity, beauty and significance of animals, inviting viewers to explore everything from wildlife and beloved companions to symbolic and imaginative interpretations. Through photography, painting and mixed media, the exhibition reflects on the relationships between humans, animals and the natural world.

Among the featured artists is Jerry Cowart, an award-winning photographer and photographic artist whose work captures fleeting moments of beauty and meaning. “I am a storyteller, and through my photography, I tell many stories,” Cowart shares. “I hope you enjoy my stories and, in some way, they touch your heart.” His images reflect a lifelong passion for observing the world through a camera lens and preserving moments that might otherwise pass unnoticed. Through patience, curiosity and a deep appreciation for nature, Cowart’s work encourages viewers to slow down, embrace the present and recognize the beauty that surrounds them. The featured photo is “Gone Fishing” by Jerry Cowart.

The exhibiting artists include: Sharon Atwood, Sheri Carlson, Daniel Chayra, Ler Chang, Jerry Cowart, Helaine Cummins, Antony Dunn, Meghann Flaherty, Sajaul Fondevila Moreira Maior, Meryl Goudey, Keiji Ichikawa, Rajiv Khilnani, Daniella Krynsky, Ken Lee, Mark Micchio, Ali Peterson, Nancy Perkins, Tesha Smith, Jayme Sun Thomas, Hannah Thoreson, Nav Tombros and Lucien Van Oosten.

First Floor Gallery, City Hall | May 20 – August 12 2026

The City of Santa Clarita is pleased to present its latest art exhibition, “Seascapes,” on display in the First Floor Gallery at City Hall (23920 Valencia Boulevard) now through August 12, 2026. This juried showcase celebrates the beauty and power of the ocean, inviting viewers to reflect on humanity’s connection to the sea. From expansive shorelines and rolling waves to marine life, harbors and underwater worlds, “Seascapes” explores the moods and visual poetry of the ocean. Featuring a variety of artistic mediums including painting, photography, mixed media and handcrafted three-dimensional works, this exhibition captures the ever-changing nature of coastal landscapes and seafaring imagery.

Among the featured artists is Jody Nelson, whose mixed-media artworks explore the emotional and atmospheric qualities of the ocean. “The ocean has always been a place of emotional reckoning — vast, shifting and deeply still all at once,” Nelson shares. Working through layered collage, paint and pastel, Nelson creates textured surfaces that evoke both memory and movement. She explains “I explore the tension between movement and quiet, between the weight of atmosphere and the luminosity beneath it”. Nelson’s process encourages the eye to wander across the piece. “Warm and cool tones pull against each other across bands of water, sky and cloud, creating a visual rhythm that invites the eye to travel and rest. These are landscapes of feeling as much as place,” Nelson explains.

The exhibiting artists include: Faye Abharian, Sono Arima, Don Belanger, Katy Bishop, Marita Braun, Elizabeth Chislett, Susan Contreras, Helaine Cummins, Eric Durante, Chelsea Estrada, Stephanie Garrett, Mardilan Lee Georgio, Meryl Goudey, Makenzie Haber, Ashley Hines, Keiji Ichikawa, Rosalie Kessing, Jessica L Lane, Allison Lauricella, Jennifer Tang Limon, Annie Marini-Genzon, Laurie Morgan, Jody Nelson, Nancy Perkins, Coty Schack, Jayme Sun Thomas, Babak Valizadeh, Barbara Weissbrod and Dakota Zumsteg.

The featured photo is “Low Tide” by Jody Nelson